Physicians play a critical role in initiating conversations about appropriate care with patients and other clinicians. Choosing Wisely® is about doing the right thing for patients and avoiding care that could harm them.

A national initiative of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation, Choosing Wisely has enlisted more than 60 medical specialty societies to create lists of "Things Physicians and Patients Should Question" which provide specific evidence-based recommendations for conversations on the risks and benefits of various medical tests.

The WSMA is offering a physician tool kit designed to help raise public awareness and garner support around appropriate test utilization. Below the tool kit you'll find Choosing Wisely educational modules as well as a comprehensive list of the participating specialty societies and their lists of "Things Physicians and Patients Should Question." To learn more about the Choosing Wisely initiative, visit the national Choosing Wisely website.

Choosing Wisely Action Manual

For physicians or other health care leaders struggling with how to integrate Choosing Wisely's evidence-based best practices into their practices or organizations, the
Choosing Wisely Action Manual
takes a step-by-step approach to making system-level changes.

The Action Manual was created by the Washington State Choosing Wisely Task Force, a group of more than 20 medical leaders from the largest health care organizations in the state. The task force is co-sponsored by the WSMA, the Washington Health Alliance and the Washington State Hospital Association.

In 2014, the first statewide study in the nation to measure Choosing Wisely recommendations was published by the Washington Health Alliance in conjunction with the Washington State Choosing Wisely Task Force. The study, based upon claims data representing 3.3 million lives in Washington state, finds that patients in Washington may be exposed to care that they don’t need—and potential harm. A second report, published in 2016, showed improvement on six recommendations. The reports offer county-by-county results for nine different Choosing Wisely recommendations and are available here: 2014 Report | 2016 Report. The reports are based on the Choosing Wisely Claims-Based Technical Specifications (email jessica@wsma.org to request a copy).

"5 Questions" poster for your exam or waiting room

The "5 Questions to Ask Your Doctor Before You Get Any Test, Treatment or Procedure" single-page flyer is a simple and effective way to encourage shared decision making. Post one in your exam room, or have them available in your waiting room. Any one of these five questions can help start the conversation for both the patient and physician to ensure the right care is delivered at the right time:

Web-based education for physicians on Choosing Wisely

Interactive instructional modules, based on specialty society
recommendations from the Choosing Wisely campaign, are now available. By completing the modules, physicians will learn strategies to build trust and address patient attitudes and beliefs.